Clamp for fabric-making machines.



Nu. 1540;824. Patented Ian. 9, I900. J. SUMMER. CLAMP FUR FABRIC MAKING MACHINES.

(Application filed-Fell 17 1899.1

3 Sheets-- Sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 640,824. Patented lain. 9, I900. J. SUMMER. CLAMP FUR FAB BIC MAKING MACHINES.

(Application filed Feb. 17, 1899.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

m: NORRIS PETERS co. moroumu. WASNINGTON, u. c.

-No. 640,824. Patented Jan. 9, I900. J. SUMMER.

CLAMP FOR FABRIC MAKING MACHINES.

(Application filed Feb. 17 1899H (No Modem 3 Sheefts-Sheei 3 H vizfogz- To all whmn it nutg concern.-

NrrEn STATES PATENT lusion.

JOHN SOMMER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

CLAMP FOR FABRIC-MAKING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 640,824, dated January 9, 1900.

Application filed February 17, 1899.

Be it known that I, JOHN 'SOMMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Fabric-Makin g Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clamps revoluble with relation to the machine with which they are connected, by means of which a clamp is provided, being simple in construction and very efiective for the purpose designed.

More particularly, my invention relates to a revoluble clamp designed to be used in connection with a fabric-making machine purposed through suitable mechanism provided upon its surface to alternately through a series of jaws engage and release the strands of a fabric being woven upon the machine with which the clamp is connected for the purpose of drawing out the strands of the fabric being woven.

My invention consists, essentially, of a cylindrically-form ed roller suitably constructed for lightness and cheapness and for durability, purposed to be mounted upon the framework of a fabric-making machine in suitable manner to provide for its rotation by the proper connection with suitable mechanism provided in the machine for turning it at the proper times and the proper distances.

My invention also consists, essentially, of a row or rows of jaws suitably mounted upon the surface of a roller or cylinder and of suitable mechanism for actuating the said jaws in such a manner as to cause a uniform pressure to be brought to bear simultaneously by the jaws upon the strands of the wire fabric and to cause the alternating engagement and releasing of the strands by a series of the rows of jaws upon the fabric being woven upon the machine, and of certain other details of construction hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the drawings.

That my invention may be more fully un- Serial N0- 705,8ZZ. (No model.)

derstood, reference is had to the accompany ing drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a plan elevation of the clamp. Fig. 2 is an end view of the clamp,showing the manner of engaging the strands of the wire fabric by the jaws upon the clamp. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of Fig. 1, showing the mountings removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the detail construction of the clamp. Figs. 5 and 6 show detailed cross-sections at different points on the clamp. Fig. 7 is a plan viewof aportion of the forward end of a fabric-making machine, showing the manner of mounting the clamp-cylinder and means for turning the same and the fabric carried in and upon the clamp -surface. Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing the face of the cam. Fig. 9 shows an edge view of the cam and the manner of mounting the same in connection with a frame part. Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the clamping plates or jaws.

In the drawings, A is a cylinder provided with a series of longitudinal guideways B, connected by cross-pieces a and mounted upon the axis V, which said axis is suitably journaled in the frame work of the fabricmachine with which it may be connected, the said cylinder being designed for adjustment in a proper position to receive the strand delivery from the fabric-making machine.

0 are spider-arms provided at intervals in the cylinder for strengthening the same and to serve as a supporting means therefor, the cylinder being bolted to the spider-arms, as at T.

O are plates or jaws loosely mounted upon the surface of the cylinder A in both trans verse and circumferential rows, the plates being provided with laterally-projecting lugs c 0, extending from the sides thereof and adapted to slide in grooves o c,pr0vided transversely within the guideways B.

D D are plates or jaws carried in substan tially the same manner as the plates or jaws C, but are carried in a circumferential line around the ends of the clamp and are what will be hereinafter referred to as the wedging plates or jaws.

' E are plates arranged longitudinally in the cylinder-guideways B and are carried in suitable grooves e therein. These plates extend some distance through the cylinder and are made convex, adapting them to be seated in the concave surface providedin the plates or jaws C. To facilitate the sliding movement of the plates or jaws C, the wedgingplates D and D, and the plates E within the guideways B, there are provided the short studs d, bolted or otherwise through the plates E, and the wedging-jaws D, which carry the antifrictionrollers d at their lower extremities.

F are rods carried within the guideways B in the cylinder, and each is supported in the stationary collar E in the plates E, the rear end of the rod being secured in the block D which is bolted or otherwise secured to the wedging plate or jaw D. On the rod and near its forward end I have shown a collar F, secured firmly thereto.

G is a spring carried on the rod Fand hearing between the collars E and F.

H are antifriction-rollers carried on the forward ends of therods F and coacting with the rollers d in engaging with the stationary cam I in giving a uniform pressure of the adjoining and intermediate jaws 0 upon the strands of the wire fabric. The cam I is suitably carried upon the framework of the machine and upon the dish P, it being upon the same center or centering at the same point as the cylinder-axis V, against which cam I or the irregular face thereof on either side the wedging-jaws D and D, through their antifriction-rollers Cl and H, are designed to bear and travel as the cylinder is revolved, and as the antifriction-rollers d and H traverse the irregular surface of the stationary cam I the said wedging plates or jaws D and D will be shifted simultaneously in opposite directions when the rollers are traversing the cam on the upward turn of the cylinder, thus relieving the pressure on the intermediate jaws C, and thus releasing the strands of the fabric, as the plates or jaws 0 when relieved from pressure move freely to disengage the strand wires held between their respective adjacent ends, and'when so relieved are ready again to receive the strands of the fabric as the cylinder revolves each respective series of jaws into position to engage the same.

The jaws or plates 0 are formed with herels upon their upper faces at each end, substantially as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, and by means of this bevel, which may be of a greater or less degree, as may be desired, the wires of the fabric are deflected or guided into position between the plates C, and the plates being free to move at the time when revolved into position to receive the strands will part readily to receive said strands, the bevel on the plates aiding in their proper separation therefor. The plates C are so arranged that the bevels of the adjacent plates are in line with the strands they are adapted to engage. In this manner the strands are adapted to pass between the jaws O, and as the cylinder continues to turn the aniifriction-rollers d and H will pass gradually down the declining face of cam I, and the wedgingplates D D will be relieved thereby, and under pressure of their spring connection, consisting of spring G upon rod F, the wedgingplates D D will be drawn toward each other and will press the plates 0 together, causing them to engage the wire strands carried between their respective adjacent ends. In this manner the said jaws G will alternately be relieved from pressure to allow the wires to pass between their adjacent ends and then will be subjected to pressure between the wedging-piates to cause the engagement of the strands.

Means are shown in Fig. 10 for rotating the clamp-cylinder. In that figure, T T are frame parts. U is a cog-wheel carried upon shaft U properly jou rnaled in the framework. U is a large cog-wheel fixed to shaft V, which supports the clamp-cylinder. R is a shaft carrying the belt-wheel r. u u, are sprocketwheels connected by a suitable sprocketchain. Power applied to belt-wheel r is transmitted to shaft R, sprocket-wheels a a, and sprocket-chain, shaft U cog-wheels U and U, and shaftV to the reel-cylinder; but other means may be provided that are suitable for the purpose,

The operation of the device is very simple. The cylinder A having first been adjusted upon the framework of a machine in connection with which it is designed to be used to accommodate its free and easy rotation and the parts of the complete clamp being in the relative positions shown in the drawings and the cylinder turned, the antifriction-rollers d and H, as best shown in Fig. 4, will be caused to traverse the irregular surface of the cam, and the said cam I being so arranged within the cylinder between the autifrictionrollers d and H that the said rollers on their respective rods F and jaws D, parallel with the cam, will traverse the cam and at the same time gradually cause the jaws in their respective guideways to open to facilitate in the engagement of the strands of the fabric from the machine. As the rollers pass from'tbe cam the pressure that has been brought to bear upon the springs G, bearin g between the collars E and F, will be removed, and the wedging-jaws D and D, which are at this time under pressure of the springs G, through the collars E and F will draw the outer jaws in opposite directions from either side of the clam p, thus bringing an even pressure upon the adjoining or intermediate jaws, causing them to uniformly and simultaneously grip the strands of the wire fabric. ment is purposed to begin at the top of the cylinder and to continue in such engagement until the said rows of jaws shall have been carried by the revolution of the cylinder to the lower portion thereof, when the antifriction-rollers d and H will again engage with the cam I, which will push the rods F rear- This engagewardly, thus relieving the pressure that has been brought to bear on the jaws 0 through the wedging-jaws D, and to also push the wedging-jaws D forward, thus relieving all pressure that has been brought to bear through them on the adjoining or intermediate jaws 0, thus releasing the said strands, so that the fabric may be carried rearwardly and rolled upon a suitable reel that may be provided for that purpose and that said jaws shall remain so open until in the revolution of the cylinder they shall be carried to the upper portion thereof and until {the strands of the fabric shall have been again carried between the jaws, when it is purposed that they shall again be engaged and held in the manner just previously described, the operation of each particular row of jaws of the series mounted upon the cylinder being identical with that just above described.

While I have shown rows of jaws in connection with a revoluble cylinder, asI regard it as the best mode of carrying out the idea of their use for the purpose of drawing out the strands of a fabric, yetI have other means of application of these jaws for the same purpose-namely, the carrying of a row of jaws horizontally back and forth lengthwise of the strandsthe parts thereof adjustable with relation to each other for the purpose of alternate opening and closing, substantially in the same manner herein set forth; but I deem it unnecessary to carry out such plan by further illustration.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clamp, formed of a movable or traveling body, a row or rows of conjointly-mov able loosely-mounted plates, suitable mechanism for moving said clamping-body, suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates for the purpose of alternately engaging and releasing strands of a fabric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a clamp formed of a movable or traveling body, a row or rows of independentlymovable plates suitably supported in a line and adapted to move in the same plane, suitable mechanism for moving said clampingbody, suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates for the purpose of alternately engaging and releasing strands of a fabric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A clamp, formed of a movable or traveling body, a row or rows of loosely-mounted laterally-movable conjointly-aoting plates, suitable mechanism for moving said clampbody, suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates for the purpose of alternately engaging and releasing strands of a fabric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4;. A clamp, formed of a movable or traveling body, a row of disconnected movable coacting plates, suitable mechanism for moving said clamp-body, suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates for the purpose of alternately engaging and releasing strands of a fabric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A clamp formed of a traveling body, a series of plates loosely mounted in a line upon the traveling body adapted to be moved by pressure of the one upon the other, wedgingplates at each end of the series of looselymounted and freely-movable plates fixed upon a movable support suitably connected with power or pressure mechanism, suitable mechanism for moving the clamp-body, and suitable mechanism for actuating the wedgingplates to cause the adjacent end of the intermediate plates to approach and engage the strands of a fabric and then release them at the proper time, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a clamp, a revoluble cylinder, a number of rows of movable plates supported in grooves and in parallel lines, longitudinal and circumferential upon the surface of the said cylinder, suitable mechanism for intermittingly turning the cylinder and suitable mechanism for actuating each independent horizontally adjustable row of movable plates, for alternately opening and closing.

7. In a clamp, the combination with the supporting-body thereof, designed to travel or revolve, a row or rows of independently-movable plates and suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates. 7

8. In a clamp, a series of plates loosely mounted in a line upon the traveling body adapted to be moved by pressure of the one upon the other, and movable lengthwise of the said strands, substantially as described and shown.

9. In a clamp, the combination of a series of plates suitably mounted in grooves and in a line upon a traveling body, Wedging-plates suitably connected with power or pressure mechanism for simultaneously operatinga series of the said rows as the clamp is revolved substantially as described and shown.

10. In a clamp,a revoluble cylinder or roller, provided with a row or rows of plates laterally movable upon its face or circumference,- suitable mechanism for moving said clampplates with relation to each other for alternately opening and closing, suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates, and suitable mechanism for revolving the clamp, all substantially as described and shown.

11. In a clamp, the combination, with a revoluble clamp cylinder or roller, provided with a row or rows of disconnected movable coacting plates having laterally-projecting lugs from the sides of each respective plate, and wedging-plates at each end of the row or rows of movable plates, fixed upon a movable support suitably carried for sliding, in the face of the said cylinder, of a stationary cam plate or disk, and suitable rollers having a stationary connection with each of the re- 4 cease i spective Wedging-plates and a bearing relation with the face of the said cam, substantially as described and shown;

12. In aclampfiorfabric-making machines, the combination, with the cylinder A, suitably mounted .for rotation, and provided with a row or rows of disconnected movable coacting plates 0, having laterally-projecting lugs c, 0', adapted to slide in suitable grooves provided in the face of the cylinder, wedgingplates D and D, at each end of the row or rows of movable plates G, the wedging-plates D, provided with the studs (1, and the rollers d, and the wedging-pl ates D, provided with the rods F, and the roller H, of the stationary cam I, substantially as described and shown.

13. In a clamp,for fabric-making machines, the combination with the cylinder A, thereof, of the movable plates 0, supported in a line and adapted to travel in grooves c, c, Wedging-plates D and D, at each end of the row of plates 0, the mechanism for moving said plates consisting of the rollers 61', and H, suitably secured to the plates D and D, by means of the studs (Z, and the rods F, the convex plates E, carried in the guideways B, of the cylinder and adapted to be seated in the concave surfaces provided in the plates 0 and D, springs G, carried on the rods F, and carried between thelugs E, fixed to the plates E, and the lugs F, fixed to the rods F, substantially as described and shown.

14;. In a clam p, for fabric-making m achines, the combination with a traveling support, of a row or rows of independently-movable plates (1, 0, adapted for sliding in grooves c, c, Wedg'ing-plates D and D, movable With relation to the traveling support, of the rollers cl, and Hstationary with relation to the wedgiug-plates D and D, suitable mechanism for moving said clamping body, and suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates.

15. In a clamp, for fabric-making machines, the combination, with the cylinder A, thereof, suitably journaled for rotation, of a row or rows of movable plates, 0, G, and D, D, slidin g in grooves c, c in the cylinder, the plates D, and D, suitably connected with power or pressure mechanism adapting them to be moved simultaneously in opposite directions causing the adjacent ends of the intermediate plates C,C,to approach and engage the strands of a fabric and then release them at the proper time, all substantially as described and shown.

16. In a clamp, for fabric-making machines, the combination, with a cylinder or roller, of a series of plates loosely mounted in grooves, in a line transversely upon the face of the said roller from the direction of movement thereof, of a pair of wedging-plates one at each end of the row of loosely-mounted plates, connected with suitable power or pressure mechanism, and suitable mechanism for actuating the said Wedging-plates for causing the adjacent endsof the intermediate plates to approach and engage the strands of a fabric and then release them at the proper time, all substantially as described and shown.

17. In a clamp, the combination with a mov able or traveling body, of a row or rows of conjointly-movable loosely-mounted plates, suitable mechanism for intermittingly'rotating said clamp, andsuitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates to cause them alternately to engage and release the strands of the fabric.

18. In a clamp, in combination with a movable or traveling body, of a row or rows of loosely-mounted laterally-moving conjointly acting plates, suitable mechanism for movingsaid clamp-body, and suitable mechanism for actuating said movable plates to alternately engage and release strands of the fab ric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. In a clamp, a movable or traveling body, a row or rows of loosely-mounted disconnected movable coacting plates, Wedging-plates at each end of the row or rows of movable plates fixed upon a movable support in line with the row or rows of plates, suitable mechanism for moving the clamp-body, and suitable mech' anism for moving the lodging-plates alter= nately to and from the intermediate plates to cause said plates to be first pushed together to engage strands of the fabric and then relieved from pressure to allow the strands to be released, substantially as described and shown.

20. In a clamp, the combination with a row of conjointly-movable loosely-mounted plates supported on a movable or traveling body and transversely with relation to theimovement thereof of wedging-plates at each end of the row of plates fixed upon a movable support in line with the row or rows of plates,

suitable mechanism for moving the wedgingplates alternately to and from the intermediate plates to cause said plates to be first pushed together to engage strands of the fabric and then relieved from pressure to allow the strands to be released, substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN SUMMER.

il itnessesz B. L. SOMMER, W. V. TEFFT. 

